Appearance and Character

In his youth, Jon's hair and beard were fiery red.[11] Nearing forty, Jon is clean shaven with a lined, leathery face.[11][12] He has crow's feet at the corners of his pale, blue eyes.[12][13] When disguised as the sellsword "Griff", he has dyed his hair blue, though his eyebrows are still red and his red roots show.[12][13] Jon's hair has turned grey,[11] though his beard is still mostly red, with ash showing here and there.[7] While pretending to be Griff, Jon prefers to wear a red wolf-skin cloak.[11][12][13][14]

A capable warrior and commander, Jon was described in his youth as proud, bold, energetic, reckless, and thirsty for glory.[9] His years spent in exile have made him more cautious, dangerous, and experienced, however.[9][13] Though Griffin's Roost is sworn to Storm's End, the humorless[13] Jon disliked serving Lord Robert Baratheon.[4]

Jon promised King Aerys he would deliver Robert's head,[9] and he led an army into the field. After the Battle of Ashford, Jon took over the pursuit of Robert from the Tyrell army and tracked him to Stoney Sept in the riverlands. Offering rewards and putting hostages in crow cages,[7] Jon's soldiers began a house-to-house search for Robert. They were unable to locate him before his rebel allies, Lords Eddard Stark and Hoster Tully, arrived at Stoney Sept to oust Jon and his forces. Lord Connington fought back fiercely, killing Lord Jon Arryn's nephew and heir, Ser Denys Arryn, and wounding Lord Tully.[20] Nearly slain by Robert at the town's sept,[7] Jon retreated when he saw that the Battle of the Bells was lost.[20]

After the war, the new king, Robert I, took nine-tenths of the Connington lands, distributing them to more fervent supporters. He also took away the lordship from House Connington, making them a house of landed knights.[7][10] Once on the Iron Throne Robert was not willing to recall Jon from exile, since he had been among Rhaegar's closest friends.[21]

Exile

The exiled Jon joined the Golden Company[6][11] and served with them for five years, rising quickly in the ranks to a place of honor at the right hand of Ser Myles Toyne, the company's captain-general. Jon believes that, had his exile gone otherwise, he might have been the successor to his friend Myles instead of Harry Strickland.[11] When he reflected on the Battle of the Bells in his first year of exile, the proud Jon defended his actions. Myles argued that Lord Tywin Lannister would have burned down Stoney Sept to kill Robert, despite the civilian casualties.[7]

After a few short years in the company, Jon and Myles were approached by Illyrio Mopatis and Lord Varys, who informed them that Prince Rhaegar Targaryen's infant son, Aegon, had survived the Sack of King's Landing during Robert's Rebellion.[6] In order to remove Jon from the Golden Company, they concocted a plan, of which the remainder of the Golden Company was left unaware, so they would not be able to let anything slip. Jon was driven from the company after being caught stealing from the company's war chests. Afterwards, news was spread that Jon drank himself to death in Lys.[11]

While Jon went along with Varys's scheme for Prince Aegon's sake, he believed it a dishonorable slight and resented the shameful lie of his death. Varys, however, was adamant about the need for secrecy.[11] The rumors of Jon's disgrace and death eventually reached Westeros and convinced everyone that he was dead,[22][23] enabling him to focus on raising and protecting "Young Griff" in the guise of his father, "Griff", during the past twelve years.[11]

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Jon Connington, having dyed his hair blue, goes under the name "Griff" and has been raising his claimed son, "Young Griff", secretly Prince Aegon. Jon is still haunted by his failure at the Battle of the Bells,[11] now feeling he should have burned Stoney Sept instead of being honorable and seeking glory.[7]

While the Shy Maid journeys down the Rhoyne, Jon forbids Tyrion from drinking wine after the latter becomes drunk during one of his first night on the ship, and orders him to write down everything he still recalls from his extensive reading about dragonlore.[13] When they reach the Sorrows, Jon orders Young Griff to safety below deck, but the boy protests. Tyrion reveals he is aware of Jon's true identity and states he should be lucky that Varys is part of their conspiracy, as the name "Griff" would never have fooled the spymaster.[1] Tyrion also reveals that he is aware of the true identity of Young Griff. When stone men attack the company in Chroyane, Jon rescues Tyrion after the latter is knocked into the water.[1][14] Jon contracts greyscale while rescuing Tyrion, but he keeps it a secret for fear he would be left to die.[11]

The company soon reaches Selhorys, where Jon sends Haldon with Tyrion to learn about rumors that Daenerys has not yet left Meereen.[14] Although these are true, Jon decides to continue their journey to Volon Therys, where the Golden Company is currently stationed.[11] Jon reveals the identity of the young Prince Aegon to the Golden Company, but the highest-ranking officers have already been informed by Harry Strickland, their captain-general. The officers are dismayed that Daenerys stayed in Meereen, and voice their opinions on the constantly changing plans of Illyrio. Aegon suggests they go to Westeros themselves, where they will begin their rebellion, reasoning that, once Daenerys learns of their purpose, she will come west and join them. Aegon's proposal is met with great enthusiasm, and Jon later reflects on his satisfaction with the plan. As the greyscale is beginning to spread across his hand, Jon hopes he will live long enough to seat Aegon on the Iron Throne.[11]

The journey of the Golden Company to Westeros is difficult, due to the autumn storms. The ships are scattered, and the Volantene fleet drops them off on multiple different locations, leaving the landing of the Golden Company with a smaller host. Despite this, Jon leads a group of men in the successful taking of Griffin's Roost, his own former seat. Jon reminisces over Prince Rhaegar Targaryen visit to Griffin's Roost, his defeat in the Battle of the Bells, his exile by King Aerys II Targaryen, and the taking of his lands by King Robert I Baratheon. Jon is glad that his cousin Ronald, who had received rule over Griffin's Roost after Jon's exile, is dead, as it means he will not have to fight him, as well as that Ronald's son, Red Ronnet, is away. Jon has his remaining family members taken into custody, and tells Haldon to prepare a letter to Doran Martell, telling the Prince of Dorne that his sister Elia's son, Prince Aegon, is still alive. When Haldon discusses rewards to hand out to lords in order to convince them to join Aegon's cause, Jon refuses to marry Aegon off, insisting he must be free to marry Daenerys once she returns to Westeros. He also refuses to present himself as a marriage candidate, for fear of having his greyscale become known.[7]

When Prince Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost four days later, Jon recalls how he had disagreed with the boy's decision to name Rolly to the Kingsguard, as Jon had hoped to fill the White Swords with younger sons of important lords to bind them to their cause. Jon informs the prince that they are planning to take Storm's End in ten days, having previously refused the suggestion of making an alliance with Stannis Baratheon. Aegon agrees with Jon's plan, but demands he lead the attack himself.[7]

Jon wishes to let the Iron Throne believe that the invading force is simply an exiled lord attempting to retake his old seat, and he plans to write King Tommen I Baratheon for a pardon to support the ruse.[7] News of Jon and Aegon arrives in King's Landing not too much later, and Red Ronnet is intent on retaking his seat, though Tommen's small council is in doubt about his loyalty. Ser Kevan Lannister, Tommen's regent, realizes that Jon could be a dangerous threat.[9]

The Winds of Winter

Warning This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

Ser Addam Whitehead is among a group of men from the Weeping Town who seek out Jon at Griffin's Roost.[25] Jon's letter reachedes Doran, who sends his daughter, Princess Arianne, to seek out Aegon and Jon, who calls himself the Hand of the True King.[4] Arianne learns that Jon has marched from Griffin's Roost, and that he has forbidden the sellswords of the Golden Company from raping during their invasion. Lady Mary Mertyns is skeptical of their conduct, however. Once at Griffin's Roost, Haldon informs the princess that Jon and Aegon have taken Storm's End, where Arianne is awaited.[25]

What victories has he ever won that we should fear him? He could have ended Robert's Rebellion at Stoney Sept. He failed. Just as the Golden Company has always failed. Some may rush to join them, aye. The realm is well rid of such fools.[9]